Windows 8, RT to get first critical security patches next Tuesday

Windows 8 and Windows RT will receive their first security fixes when next week's Patch Tuesday rolls around from Microsoft.

The patches are designed to prevent "Remote Code Execution," which means they'll plug holes in the OS that could let someone remotely run malicious code on a PC.

Beyond securing Windows 8, the fixes cover just about every other version of Windows, including XP, Vista, and Windows 7 as well as Server 2003, 2008, and 2012.

The rollout includes six security patches, four of which are considered critical, one important, and one moderate. Most of the fixes are aimed at the Windows OS, but one also covers a flaw in Internet Explorer 9 and another a hole in Microsoft Office 2003, 2007, and 2010 for the PC and Office 2008 and 2011 for the Mac.

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